What is Cancer Immunotherapy Treatment in India? A Comprehensive Guide

Cancer has been one of the biggest health challenges for decades. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery have helped many people. But now, there’s a new way to fight cancer: cancer immunotherapy. This treatment is becoming more popular in India, offering new hope to patients. This guide explains what cancer immunotherapy is, how it works, the different types, and how experts such as Dr. Vikesh Shah one of the leading oncologists in India.

What is Cancer Immunotherapy?

Cancer immunotherapy helps your body’s own immune system find and destroy cancer cells. Normally, your immune system can detect and kill abnormal cells. But sometimes, cancer cells hide or block the immune response. Immunotherapy boosts or changes how your immune system works so it can find and attack cancer cells more effectively.

One big advantage is that it targets only cancer cells, so healthy cells around them are mostly unharmed. This is especially helpful for patients who don’t respond well to traditional treatments or whose cancer has come back.

How Does It Work?

Your immune system is built to fight off infections, viruses, and abnormal cells. But cancer cells often escape this defense. Immunotherapy gives the immune system extra tools like special proteins or immune cells to better find and fight cancer.

Some cancer cells produce “brake” proteins (called checkpoints) that stop the immune system from attacking them. New drugs remove these brakes, letting the immune system do its job. This is one of the most exciting areas of cancer research today.

Types of Cancer Immunotherapy

Here are the most common types:

1. Checkpoint Inhibitors

These drugs block the “brake” proteins on cancer or immune cells. This helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer.

Some examples:

• Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

• Nivolumab (Opdivo)

• Ipilimumab (Yervoy)

They are used for cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and more.

2. Monoclonal Antibodies

These are lab-made proteins that act like the immune system. They stick to cancer cells and either:

• Mark them for destruction

• Or block signals that help them grow

Example: Trastuzumab (Herceptin), used for breast cancer.

Some monoclonal antibodies even carry chemo or radiation directly to the cancer cells.

3. CAR T-Cell Therapy

In this treatment, doctors take out a patient’s T-cells (a type of white blood cell), change them in a lab to recognize cancer cells, and put them back into the body. These modified cells then hunt down and kill cancer.

It has shown great success in blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and research is ongoing for its use in solid tumors.

4. Cytokine Therapy

Cytokines are proteins that help control the immune system. Man-made versions, like IL-2 and interferon-alpha, are used to boost the immune system.

This therapy works best for certain cancers like melanoma and kidney cancer.

5. Cancer Vaccines

Unlike vaccines that prevent diseases, these are made to treat cancer. They help the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Example: BCG vaccine is used for bladder cancer, and research is being done on its use in melanoma, lung, and prostate cancer.

Dr. Vikesh Shah’s Role in Cancer Immunotherapy

Dr. Vikesh Shah is a leading oncologist in India with deep knowledge of immunotherapy. He creates personalized treatment plans based on each patient’s needs and type of cancer. His work with advanced immunotherapies has helped many patients who had limited options before.

Through his clinical work and research, he is giving new hope to people fighting cancer.

What’s Next for Immunotherapy in India?

The future of immunotherapy in India is promising. As research grows, it may become the first line of treatment for many types of cancer not just a backup.

India’s partnerships with global research centers and pharma companies are helping speed up the development of these treatments. With doctors like Dr. Vikesh Shah at the forefront, India is becoming a key player in the global fight against cancer.

Conclusion

Cancer immunotherapy is changing the way we fight cancer in India. From checkpoint inhibitors to CAR T-cell therapy, it gives new hope to many patients. Thanks to experts like Dr. Vikesh Shah, India is leading the way in using the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

With ongoing research and better access to advanced care, the future looks bright. Cancer may no longer be seen as a death sentence but a disease that can be managed, and in many cases, overcome.